Samples | Britta Ritter-Armour Master of Architecture Portfolio
all work by Britta Ritter-Armour Fall 2014 - Spring 2017 Columbia University | New York, NY Graduate School of Architecture Preservation and Planning A porfolio submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements to graduate with a Master of Architecture.
Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision. — Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead
Studio Projects 7
Himawari Sento
35
Phytorium
65
Biorock Bedrock
87
Worm Farm
113
Art Bank
127
Healthplex
Models + Physical Explorations 140
Jewish Museum Maze Model
144
Harmonograph
150
Solar Pavilion
158
Chawl Analysis
164
St. Louis Arch
Visualizations 170
Arctic Bath
6
Himawari Onsen | Odaka, Fukushima, Japan Architecture Studio VI, Spring 2017
Redesigning the Actor Network in Fukushima — Momojo Kaijima + Yoshiharu Tsukamoto, Atelier Bow-Wow On March 11, 2011 an earthquake off the east coast of Japan triggered a tsunami that ravaged Fukushima’s coast, causing a malfunction in the Daiichi nuclear power plant. The resulting nuclear meltdown released radiation that leached into the surrounding area. Following this disaster, the Japanese government mandated a 20km evacuation zone encompassing the power plant. In April 2016, the evacuation zone decreased to 10 km, allowing the residents of Odaka, a small town 15 km away from Daiichi, to return to their hometown. After having been deserted for 5 years with only 10% of its population returning, polluted by radioactive containments, and plagued by stigmatization, Odaka begs for an architectural intervention to inspire a promising future.
8
Himawari Onsen | 9
ヒ マ ワ リ
温 泉
Himawari noun sunflower
Onsen noun spa
Odaka, Fukushima, Japan Odaka is a town on the east coast of Japan within Fukushima prefecture. It is an agrarian region nestled between the foothills of the Abukuma mountains and the pacific coast. 10
Himawari Onsen | 11
Odaka
1000’
12
Himawari Onsen | 13
Water in Odaka Water is essential to life; every living organism, whether a single-cell bacteria or a multi-cellular vertebrate, cannot live without water. Prior to March 2011, water played a pivotal role in Odaka’s economy and society. In addition to providing basic life sustaining and sanitary needs, water was the basis of both rice farming and fishing, the primary and secondary economies in Odaka. Regional recreational activities such as skiing, beachgoing and surfing also depended on water.
1 plant ≈ 1 lb biomass
10 flowers ≈ 1 lb seeds
Radioactive aqueous 137Cs Polluted Water
Contained 137Cs
Percipitated
Rhizofiltration The nuclear disaster contaminated Odaka’s water, making it unfit for the industries and activities for which it was once used. Sunflowers and their natural ability to absorb radio-nucleotides from water offer a natural, scenic solution to this problem. Rhizofiltration is the process by which hydroponically grown plants absorb pollutants from water. Because sunflowers are particularly efficient at absorbing radio-nucleotides, they are the ideal plant to filter 137cesium from Odaka’s water.
50 days 99.3% absorption 14
OR
1 day 95% absorption
137
Cs
Himawari Onsen | 15
4 lbs seeds = 1 lb oil
1 lb oil = 12$
$ Sunflower Seeds
Screw Press
Oil
Income
20 lbs biomass heats two 500 ft3 spas to 100oF
Byproducts Biomass
Fuel
Consumption
Bathing
Clean Water
Once the sunflowers have filtered the water, it can be used to fill spa baths that will serve Odaka residents. Meanwhile, oil can be extracted from the sunflower seed to be sold or used in the baths, and the sunflower biomass can be burned to create thermal energy to heat the spa baths.
Sunflower Spa Onsens are traditional Japanese spas rooted in a culture of retreat and relaxation. An onsen in Odaka with baths filled by sunflower-filtered water will provide the residents with a safe-space to relax, rejuvenate, and restore their spirits while engaging with water in a positive, enjoyable way. As a place of cleansing and purification, the Himawari Onsen will be both a physical and metaphorical symbol of promise that the region will overcome the disaster and resulting contamination. 16
Himawari Onsen | 17
$
4 days of pressing
2,000 kg oil
$25,000
115,000+ Sunflowers = 25,000 kg Biomass
10 kg Biomass
Fuel
Heat one Bath to 38oC
100,000 l/day 100 m3/day
99 .3%
137
Cs
ab
so
rbe
d
40 m3 cold pool refilled monthly 14 m3 hot bath refilled daily 10,000 m2 x .5 m
14 m3 hot bath refilled daily 40 m3 cold pool refilled monthly
5 M liter or 5,000 m3 filtering pond
AM
Su
n
5,500 m2 x 1.5 m
Polluted Water Source
PM
9 M liter 9,000 m3 storage pond
Sunflower Rhizofiltration Ponds Filtered Water
18
Su n
Existing Canal Infrastructure
100’
6,250 SF vertical hydroponic nursery
Himawari Onsen | 19
Site Strategy Each spring, snow melt trickles down from the Abukuma Mountains into Odaka valley where it was previously used for rice farming. The onsen is located in this valley amongst the abandoned rice paddies so that its ponds of water-filtering sunflowers can capture the snow melt before it reaches Odaka Town. The Himawari Onsen repurposes the abandoned rice paddy infrastructure for its sunflower ponds. The onsen building is directly downhill of these sunflower paddies so that it can collect the filtered water and faces the only road that bisects the valley so that it is easily accessible to customers and employees coming from the surrounding areas.
Massing The Himawari Onsen is a linear building whose enlongated, staggered form mimics the downhill flow of the water through the sunflower paddies. The building is comrpised of a central hall with two bath wings, one for men and one for women.
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Himawari Onsen | 21
Design With a program that integrates work and leisure, the onsen layers consumption and production spaces beside one another so they can interact and share resources. A vertical hydroponic sunflower nursery encases the onsen, extending the entire length of the building and doubling as the main circulation corridor. A trombe wall separates this production corridor from the primary consumption space: the baths.
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Himawari Onsen | 23
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Himawari Onsen | 25
Production corridor with vertical hydroponic nursery on the left and trombe wall on the right
DN
Kitchen
Seed Sorting Loft Hatch to deposit seeds into oil press below
DN
DN
Cafe
Vents channeling steam from the baths
DN
Steam Shower Sun Deck
Germination Room
Community Room
DN
Hydroponic Nursery
26
DN
Himawari Onsen | 27
Steam Shower DN
Sun Deck
Germination Room DN
Hydroponic Nursery
DN
DN
The Cycle
DN
DN
The building accommodates and encourages a continuous cycle of production, consumption, and energy exchange between sunflowers and water. The trombe wall radiates heat from the greenhouse-like production corridor into the baths where steam from the hot water rises to humidify the sunflower germination rooms above. After germination, the seeds are planted in the vertical nursery where they grow until ready to be planted in the filtering ponds. After filtering water in the ponds, they are brought back to the onsen where the seeds are pressed for oil and the biomass burned to heat the baths.
Retreat As a place that filters, purifies, and cleanses both people and water itself, the Himawari Onsen is a kind of sanctuary. It provides the people of Odaka with a safe, dependable space in a sea of unreliability, pollution, distrust, and stigmatization. The onsen is not only a facility where visitors cleanse themselves, but also a place that purifies the surroundings in a tangible way that instills a sense of hope and progress. 28
Himawari Onsen | 29
30
Himawari Onsen | 31
Materiality The onsen’s materiality expresses the intention of layering by emphasizing the juxtaposition between production and consumption spaces. The public, production areas are expressed in wood and glass that wrap and envelop the private, calm, experiential core where people interact with water in a retreat-like environment.
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Himawari Onsen | 33
34
Phytorium | Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY Architecture Studio VI, Fall 2016
Production Zone + — Lise Anne Couture, Asymptote Architecture In the context of an urban society increasingly preoccupied with health and wellness, the Newtown Creek waterfront in Greenpoint Brooklyn is an anomaly. The site is a wasteland contaminated by over a century of heavy industry. To reconcile our health and wellness conscious society with this polluted site, I propose establishing a literally and metaphorically “green” industrial facility: a phyto-factory. This phyto-factory uses plants to heal the surrounding site through phytoremediation while simultaneously promoting the community’s health by manufacturing phytoceuticals. To supplement these industrial functions, the facility will include a wellness center focused on natural healing: the Phytorium. Together these programs will reinvent the waterfront park as a public amenity that provides both products and a service.
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Phytorium | 37
Green Industry To reconcile the context of a health and wellness focused society with the reality of a polluted site, the Phytorium is a literally and metaphorically “green� industrial facility; the factory uses plants to heal the surrounding site through the process of phytoremediation, while simultaneously promoting the health and wellness of the local community by growing and manufacturing phytoceuticals.
Growing Hydroponic growing
38
Extraction Processing plants to extract active Ingredients
Processing Combine active ingredients with binders and bases
Finishing Packaging + labeling
Distribution QC check, shipping and storage
Phytorium | 39
Enzymes Breaking Down Organic Pollutant Inside the Plant
Harvest the metalsaturated shoots and leaves
PHYTOSTIMULATION
PHYTOEXTRACTION
PHYTODEGREDATION
Zn
Pb
Cu
As Hg Micro-organisms Micro-organisms Degrading Organic Pollutant
Nutrients
Organic Pollutants
Phytoremediation n. [fahy-toh-ri-mee-dee-ey-shuh] The process of purifying soil using plants’ ability to absorb and decompose pollutants.
Hydroponic Growing With a program focused on plant production, whether for purification or phytoceutical production, the majority of programmatic space will be occupied by growing systems. When designing growing systems, three considerations are essential: maximizing surface area, utilizing gravity for irrigation purposes, and implementing a kinetic system to maximize efficiency.
5' 25’
14' 240’ 270’
5’ Harvest
240’
127’
90’ 2.5’
45’
Hydroponic Growing Band Design: a moving conveyor belt of growing plants that oscillates in both plan and section to maximize surface area. The convey belt moves at a speed that allows the plants to be planted and harvested in consistent locations. These hydroponic growing bands utilize a gravity-fed irrigation system.
40
Plant
45’
Plant + Harvest
45’
Phytorium | 41 Rotation, reflection and combination of growing bands to create a growing unit.
Parti Arraying the growing units side by side creates a moving, living matrix of plants. This living mass is flanked by two functional walls: a machine wall for remediatng local soil and a factory wall for phytoceutical production. The phytorium spaces are suspended within the growing mass, all of which hovers over a public lobby. 42
Phytorium | 43
Phytoremediation
Hydroponic Growing
Public Space Phyto-Factory
Spa
R+D Clinic Pharmacy
Structure
Phytoceutical Production
Phyto-Factory
Circulation
Factory Skin
44
Phytorium | 45
Sorting
Plant Collection
Manufacturing
Post-Production Plant Sorting
Wet + Hot Processing
Distribution Receiving
Packaging Storage Plant Collection
Cool + Dry Processing
Labeling
Shipping
Entrance
Functional Wall: Phyto-Factory The hydroponic belts slowly move the plants to the top of the phytofactory wall where they are harvested and processed to extract the active ingredients. The plants move vertically down the wall as they are processed and manufactured into phytoceuticals, ending on the ground floor where they are packaged and distributed for sale in the phytopharmacy and use in the clinic and spa.
46
Phytorium | 47
View of the growing mass from within the phyto-factory. 48
Phytorium | 49
Functional Wall: Phytoremediation The phytoremediation wall that layers composting recepticales, structure, and access ramps along a perforated facade with pockets for phytoremediation. This is a machine wall for composting, remediating and processing soil. 50
Phytorium | 51
Pytoremediation
Structure
Phytoremediation Composting
52
Phytorium | 53
54
Phytorium | 55
View of the phytoremediation wall from Newtown Creek. The facade's perforations obscure the interior, fractalizing the view of the building's inner-workings.
56
Phytorium | 57
58
Phytorium | 59
Interior Experience
Emerging from the spa lockers into the growing mass.
The Phytorium varies the experiential quality according to the user’s level of engagement with the program; the more a user participates in the program, the more spectacular their visual and physical access to the phyto-processes.
Public Experience The ground floor is a public atrium that not only acts as a lobby providing access to the phytorium buildings suspended above, but also provides public access to the waterfront. This public atrium combined with the phyto-factory and phytorium ensures this phyto-facility is a community amenity that provides both a product and a service. 60
Phytorium | 61
Section Model Model showing how the Phytorium spaces are suspended within the growing mass that extends from the factory wall to the phytoremediation wall.
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Phytorium | 63
64
Biorock Bedrock | Providence, RI Architecture Studio IV, Spring 2016
Not Not Nature — Tei Carpenter, Agency – Agency This is a study of how to preserve and build on Fox Point in Providence, RI. As a water-front site located outside the hurricane barrier where temporary flooding is imminent and eventual submersion is probable, Fox Point demands a design solution that thrives in aqueous conditions and works in conjunction with nature to allow humans to continue to inhabit the site, regardless of sea-level rise. Instead of treating Narragansett Bay as a detrimental force, this project uses water as a generative source supplying calcium and magnesium to accumulate into a new, elevated ground made of biorock.
66
Biorock Bedrock | 67
Fox Point, Providence, RI Fox Point is a peninsula of artificially in-filled land located outside the Providence hurricane barrier in a FEMA flood zone with a base flood elevation of 15’. The site is predicted to be completely submerged within 100 years. 68
Biorock Bedrock | 69
Fox Point 2016
Fox Point 300
Biorock Biorock is a material that grows from precipitating minerals out of salt water onto metal. It grows at a rate of 5 cm per year and has a compressive strength 3x that of concrete. Furthermore, biorock is regenerative with the ability to repair itself by “growing� back where damaged. The material is produced by submerging negatively charged metal in salt water so that minerals can precipitate out of the water onto the metal surface, accumulating into a rock-like mineral: biorock.
Biorock Experiment
Metal and nail submerged in salt water
Steel mesh after 3 days
Steel wire after 1 month
A 16 volt battery’s negative pole is connected to a piece of steel and its positive pole is connected to a nail. The steel and nail are left submerged in salt water so that calcium and magnesium in the water can accumulate on the metal to form biorock.
70
T = 1 Year
T = 5 Years
T = 10 Years
T = 50 Years
Biorock Bedrock | 71
T=0
Potential to grow building elements from biorock Potential to grow building elements from bioroc
T = 0 years
T = 50 years
T = 0 years
Phase 0
t = 0 years
Phase 1
t = 25 years
Following the logic of the existing in-filled land, I propose a new method of in-filling land using a column grid of thin, non-structural metal elements that eventually grow into a structurally sound biorock foundation. This biorock foundation will grow with the rising ocean, ensuring the ground remains above sea level.
72
Biorock Bedrock | 73
T = 50 years
T = 150 years
T = 150 years
Phase 2
t = 150 years
T = 300 years
Phase 3
t = 300 years
Biorock Accumulation As the sea level rises, the lower end of the metal poles will be exposed to water for the longest period of time, causing the biorock to grow in cone or volcano-like formations. 74
Biorock Bedrock | 75
Wax models simulating the accumulation of biorock on the steel members as the sea-level rises.
Elevated Park Walk Way Reclaimed Native Salt Marsh Sea Level in 2100 Sea Level in 2200 Sea Level in 2300 Phase 1: Biorock Salt-Marsh Park Site restored to original salt marsh condition, biorock research field station located on-site, biorock foundation infrastructure installed. 76
Biorock Bedrock | 77
78
Biorock Bedrock | 79
T = 0 years
Elevated Ground: Biorock Floor Plate Marsh: Metal Mesh Overlay Biofarm: Biorock Growing Areas Solar Farm: Energy Production to Power Biofarm Bioquarry: Biorock Harvesting Marine Habitat
Phase 3: Biorock Production Facility Site built on biorock foundation, ‘pockets’ of water between biorock formations provide space for solar energy production, biorock farming and harvesting, and marine-life sanctuaries.
Biorock Structures Grown on metal frames in the biofarm pockets
Inhabitable Ground Biorock floor plate harvested from the bioquarry and supported by the biorock foundation
Salt Marsh Metal mesh overlay that grows into a biorock surface native plants and animals can inhabit
Photovoltaics Floating solar panels that charge the metal poles in the biorock foundation and metal frames in the biofarm
Biofarm “Pockets� Areas delineated by the biorock foundation that contain growing biorock elements
Bioquarry Designated area for mining the biorock that grows on the charged metal poles
Biorock Foundation Grid of charged metal poles on which biorock accumulates to form a structurally sound foundation
Enriched Marine Habitat Biorock reef providing habitat for local marinelife such as oysters, clams, summer flounder, and seals
80
Biorock Bedrock | 81
1 3
82
2 4
5
Biorock Bedrock | 83
1
2
3
5 4
84
Biorock Bedrock | 85 Phase 3 Model
86
Worm Farm | New York, NY Architecture Studio III, Fall 2015 in collaboration with Miguel CastaĂąeda
LOT-EK Housing — Ada Tolla + Giuseppe Lignano, LOT-EK This housing proposal for New York City draws inspiration from a communal housing typology native to Mumbai, the Chawl, while simultaneously addressing the untapped potential for composting organic waste in New York City using worms, a process known as vermiculture.
88
Worm Farm | 89
NYC + Garbage New York City produces over 12,000 tons of garbage per day. About 1/3 of this garbage is organic and therefore compostable. This means that New York City could compost up to 4,000 tons of organic waste per day, yielding up to 1,500 tons of nutrient-rich fertilizer that could be used for agriculture. 90
5.9 Tons of Garbage
Compostable Waste
Worm Farm’s Daily Composting Capacity
Worm Farm | 91
NYC’s Daily Waste Production
Trad
ition
al M
ode
l Pro
pos
Eco 4:1
ed
Mod
el
nom
ic Was te
Pro
ces
sing
&F
ood Econom Pro duc ic: tion 1.5:1
Wa ste Soc 1:1
Util
izat
ial
ion
&F
ood Econo Pro mic: duc tion 3:1
Wa ste
Col
lect
ion
&F
ood
Con Soci sum al: ptio n 3:1
Massing Strategy This project attempts to reassign value of space by using the formal technique of folding to create residual spaces that can be utilized as common areas. In this building, all daily activities, apart from sleeping, take place in shared spaces with particular emphasis on the kitchen as the center of communal activity. 92
Soc
ial &
Eco
Re Cre sidua l ate d b Space y Fo s ldin g 7.5: 1
nom
ic
1:1 Folding the traditional double-loaded corridor to increase and reassess the value of space in housing.
Worm Farm | 93 Exploring the use of folding to create residual space that can be utilized for the vermiculture, communal, and shared programs
Massing Model In the building, the folded floor plates are vertically connected by structural bands that house the compost infrastructure. In this massing model, strings tie together the chipboard pieces to represent the vermiculture bands that structurally support the folded floor plates.
94
Worm Farm | 95
96
Worm Farm | 97
98
Worm Farm | 99 Access to and presence of the vermiculture bands
100
Worm Farm | 101
Ground Floor Plan 102
Worm Farm | 103
104
Worm Farm | 105
Growth terraces fertilized by worm castings from the building’s vermiculture system.
Typical Floor Plan 106
Worm Farm | 107
Extended Unit
10'-0 1/2"
Growth
Lounge
25'-4"
17'-11"
Unit Kitchen 16'-0"
Transition 9'-8"
10'-0"
24'-0" 10'-1"
12'-6"
Bedroom
9'-11"
4'-0"
15'-0"
5'-0"
67'-7"
Extending the private unit into shared space
Communal living space with compost bands articulated in the ceiling structure 108
Worm Farm | 109
110
Worm Farm | 111
Section Model This section model shows how the compost infrastructure vertically integrates and physically connects the living units to one another. The model also details how private units seamlessly transition into semi-shared dining spaces, which then flow into communal kitchens, living rooms, and outdoor garden terraces.
112
Artbank | Long Island City, Queens, NY Architecture Studio II, Spring 2015
Art Bank — Julian Rose, Formless Finder The Artbank is a hybrid program of art storage and exhibition that uses art as a means of exchange, located in Long Island City, Queens. The Artbank is designed to promote local art not only by circulating it within the immediate community, but also by connecting it to a broader network outside Long Island City. This institution promotes local art within the community by providing exhibition and retail space, while simultaneously connecting it to the international art network through an art rental program and vising artist in resident.
114
Artbank | 115
Roof Plan 116
Artbank | 117
Second Floor
Third Floor
Ground Floor 118
Artbank | 119
120
Artbank | 121
122
Artbank | 123
Art Map This is a parametric mapping of art pieces as they travel throughout New York City on loan from the Artbank. Each piece’s route throughout the city lies in the background, while the location, time spent at the location, and public accessibility to the piece are represented through the placement, size, and density of the circles in the foreground.
124
Artbank | 125
126
Healthplex | Manhattanville, NY Architecture Studio I, Fall 2015
Gymnasium — Paula Tomisaki, Archybrid On a site located between NYCHA’s Manhattanville Housing and Columbia University’s developing Manhattanville Campus, this building must reconcile its diverse user demographic by focusing on a universally applicable priority: health. The human is comprised of a mind, body, and soul. Health is the state of equilibrium between these human components. Therefore, this is a holistic health center that encourages healthy living by providing public facilities that balance mental stimulation, physical activity, and social interaction.
128
Healthplex | 129
Mind
Library 418 ft2
Garden
Yoga Studios
6146 ft2
1832 ft2
Decks & Terraces
Lap Pool
3824 ft2
1050 ft2
Unprogrammed Common Areas
Track
1307 ft2
2691 ft2 339 ft Circumference 15.5 Laps = 1 Mile
Soul
Lobby Lounge
Locker Rooms
960 ft2
2744 ft2
Cafe & Juice Bar
Body
Pool & Spas
537 ft2
1833 ft2
Skating Rink/Reflecting Pool 2
2650 ft
Skating Rink Yoga Studios Public Library
Building Site
Public Pool
NYCHA Housing
Public School
CCNY Campus
Literacy Program
CU Campus
Site in relation to similar facilities
Ground Floor
130
Healthplex | 131 Second Floor
Pool Deck
132
Healthplex | 133
134
Healthplex | 135
136
Healthplex | 137
138
Models + Physical Explorations
Jewish Museum Analysis
|
Berlin, Germany Architectureal Drawing + Representation I, Fall 2015 The line of voids running through Libeskind’s Berlin Jewish Museum confuses one’s procession through the building to disorient and overwhelm its visitors, forcing the museum’s exhibits to become secondary to the piece of art that is the building. This collection of work attempts to visualize and unpack Libeskind’s disorienting design, challenging its effectiveness as a museum.
140
Models + Physical Explorations | 141
Maze Model This model is designed as a maze through which a ball can roll to mimic a visitor’s confused procession through the museum. The transparent material and complex form make it difficult to move the ball through the model, emphasizing the disorientation LIbeskind intends to induce.
142
Models + Physical Explorations | 143 Inserting and moving a ball through the maze
Drawing Machine Architectureal Drawing + Representation II, Spring 2015 This is a harmonograph, a machine that tracks the harmonic motion of a platform as it swings in space. The drawings generated by this machine vary depending on the platform’s weight distribution and initial swing direction. By varying these inputs, a multitude of drawing outputs can be obtained.
144
Models + Physical Explorations | 145
The Machine
146
Models + Physical Explorations | 147
Weight Distribution
Push Direction
Effect of push direction + weight distribution on drawing
Digital Interpretation This Grasshopper simulation of the harmonograph uses the harmonic function:
Dot Color = Time
Each dot represents the location of a pendulum swinging along a harmonic path at time t. The dots are drawn in order from least saturated to most saturated. The size of each dot represents speed; the smaller the dot, the smaller the distance between it and the preceding dot, and the larger the dot, the larger the distance between it and the preceding dot.
A*Sin(t*F+P)*e^(-D*t) + a*Sin(t*f+p)*e^(-d*t),
where -1000 < t < 0 and all other variables are numeric constants. The resulting drawings vary depending on the value assigned to each of these constants.
148
Dot Size = Speed
Models + Physical Explorations | 149
Solar Pavilion Wired Skins, Fall 2016 in collaboration with Jennifer Fang, Graham Nichols, + Ilijana Soldan
All university campuses have large, open spaces that are meant to encourage congregation, interaction, and discussion. However, because of a lack of design for such interactions, these spaces are typically under-utilized. Furthermore, at night these spaces become empty expanses that are uncomfortable or unsafe. This solar pavilion will activate such large, open zones on university campuses by creating a delineated congregation space. The pavilion is a small tensile structure whose fabric membrane not only provides protection from natural elements, but also supports a solar array that harvests solar energy during the day to power mobiledevice charging stations. At night, the pavilion will use the stored solar energy to self-illuminate, shifting its programmatic purpose to one of safety.
150
Models + Physical Explorations | 151 Pavilion Design: A wood frame delineating space the congregation space with a bench for comfort and a tensile fabric awning to support a solar array and provide protection from the elements.
Digital Form Finding
152
Models + Physical Explorations | 153 Physical Form Finding
1"
2
2'-0"
--
3
1"
--
LINE OF BENCH
2'-0"
6'-6"
8'-0"
2'-0"
1"
2'-0"
1"
13 8"
118"
3" LAG BOLTS ON 1 4" METAL ANGLE
--
3" LAG BOLTS ON 1 2" PLY PLATE
912"
2'-0"
6 3
1"
--
13 4"
2'-0"
1"
2
7
8
"
1"
1'-6"
1"
118"
2'-0"
1"
--
1"
PLAN
1
LINE OF BENCH
1/2" = 1'-0"
2'-0"
6'-6"
912"
"
" 8
3" LAG BOLTS ON 1 2" PLY PLATE LINE OF BENCH
1"
2 LAYER PLY, MITERED 1 " PLYEDGE PANEL
1'-6"
--
2
3 2"
2
5
6'-2 2" 1
1'-6"
SCRIBE TO TOP OF 4X4 SCRIBE TO 1 PLATE 2" PLY GROUND
112"
4
1"
SECTION @ BENCH SECTION @ BENCH
1"
31 2"
PLY PANEL
312" LINE OF BENCH
DETAIL @ INSIDE CORNER, TYP.
5
1 2"
1"
LINE OF BENCH
312"
= 1'-0" 3 1/2" 1/2" = 1'-0"
1 2" PLY PANEL, SCRIBE TO GROUND
1"
--
Wood frame and bench construction details 154
112" 1" 1 1/2" = 1'-0"
1
PLY PANEL, SCRIBE TO GROUND 1 2" PLY PANEL, SCRIBE TO GROUND
DETAIL @ OUTSIDE CORNER, TYP.
1"
1 2"
1 2" 1
ABOVE PLAN DETAIL @ CORNER, TYP.
6
1 1/2" = 1'-0" 1"
1"
4
1 1/2" = 1'-0" 1 2" 1
1" 11 4" 1"
2 LAYER 21" PLY SUPPORTS AS REQ'D
1 2"
114" 1"
4 1"
LINE OF BENCH ABOVE
912"
1/2" = 1'-0"
312"
2
2
PLY PLATE
31 2"
6'-2 1'-6" PLAN 1/2" SECTION = 1'-0" @ BENCH
3" LAG BOLTS ON 1 4" METAL ANGLE
7
1'-6"
1 2"
1
1
SCRIBE TO TOP OF 4X4
114" 1"
--
DETAIL @ OUTSIDE CORNER, TYP.
118" 1 1/2" = 1'-0"
11 4" 1"
5
--
8
2 LAYER 21" PLY, MITERED EDGE
1"
6
3
13 4"
1 2" PLY PANEL, SCRIBE TO GROUND
2'-0"
1"
41 "
912"
1"
118" 2 LAYER 21" PLY SUPPORTS AS REQ'D
7
DETA
1 1/2" =
PT3
PT1
PT3
PT1
PT3
PT1
PT3
PT4
PT2
Dart: 1”
Fabric 02
Fabric 01 Seam Line
PT4
PT2
Original Fabric
PT4
PT2
Extra fabric gathered in the center
Catenary:
PT4
PT2
Extra fabric cut away and the two edges sewn together to create a dart
Darted fabric attached to frame at points 1,2,3, + 4, edge cables tensioned to create catenary arches
2”
Dart: 1”
Fabric 02
Cable
Fabric 01 Seam Line
Dart sewing detail
Catenary:
2”
Seam Line
Fabric
Fabric edge + cable sewing detail
Fabric connection to wood frame
Models + Physical Explorations | 155
Fabric cutting and tensioning process: PT1
Pavilion Construction
156
Models + Physical Explorations | 157 Final Pavilion Pavilion Frame
Chawl Analysis | Mumbai, India Architecture Studio III, Fall 2015 in collaboration with Miguel CastaĂąeda
The Chawl, a communal housing model unique to Mumbai, India. Chawls were built as single room dormitories to house male factory workers at the turn of the century but are now used as multi-family residences â&#x20AC;&#x201C; each family occupies a single room that was originally designed to house two men. The analysis reveals how the a lack of private space shifts the value of space in housing to communal areas.
158
Models + Physical Explorations | 159
Unit: Living Area
Publicly Accessible Corridor
Pradham Chawl Chawl residents maximize their limited space by exploiting transitional, residual, and shared spaces for daily activities; laundry is dried in the halls, children play in the stairwells, and cooking is done in the interior courtyards. As a result, public and shared spaces constitute the majority of each familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s livable area, meaning the value of space in Chawl housing is focused on communal areas
160
Unit: Sleeping Area
Semi-Private Corridor
5'-10 3/4"
10'-0" 7'-0"
10'-0"
3'-0"
3'-0"
4'-6 1/4"
4'-6" 1'-0"
2'-4 1/4"
Private 472.3 ft² 11.94 % 0.75x of Public 1.00x of Private 1.19x of Private-Public 0.70x of Architecture
4'-6"
11'-0 1/2"
Gross Private 2,361.5 ft² 59.71%
7'-0"
3'-0"
4'-8 3/4"
2'-4"
Private-Public 369.22 ft² 10.02 % 0.63x of Public 0.84x of Private 1.00x of Private-Public 0.83x of Architecture
5'-8 3/4"
15'-9 1/4"
15'-9"
15'-9 1/4"
3'-0"
63'-0 3/4"
63'-4 3/4"
67'-0 3/4"
15'-9 1/4"
23'-0" Foot Print 566.76 ft² 14.33 % 0.90x of Public 1.20x of Private 1.43x of Private-Public 1.00x of Architecture
4'-7"
7'-6 1/4"
4'-5 3/4"
8'-9 1/2"
8'-2 1/2"
3'-2 1/2"
3'-6"
28'-7 3/4"
3'-6"
16'-4 1/2" 14'-5 1/4"
14'-5 1/4"
4'-3 1/4"
8" 2'-10"
29'-6 1/4" Public Corridor 15.94 % of Gross Rs. 133.50/ Mo. Rs. 16,582.68 / Mo. Rs. 43,524.80 2.67 % of Rent 15.92X of Rent 9.740X of Rent
Private Unit 11.94 % of Gross Rs. 100.00 / Mo. Rs. 12,421.49 / Mo. Rs. 32,602.87 2.00 % of Rent / Mo. Income 21.25X of Rent 13.00X of Rent
312,737.92 Lbs Equivalance 129,275.50 Lbs Equivalance
234,260.80 Lbs Equivalance 96,835.65 Lbs Equivalance
14'-9 1/4"
3,955.01 ft² Rs. .21 / ft² / Mo. Rs. 26.30 / ft² / Mo. Rs. 29.03 / ft² Rs. 5,000 / Person / Mo. Rs. 2,125 / Lbs / Mo. / HH / Lbs / Mo. / HH 5 / Floor 14,055 HH 1 Persons 4 Persons 496 Lbs / Mo. / HH 205.03 Lbs / Mo. / HH
5'-0"
Gross Area per Floor: Average Rent : Average Cost (Op. &Maintance): Average Cost (Construction): Average Income: Average Cost (Food): Average Cost (Garbage): Rs. 1,300 Units: HH Surveyed: Earning Persons in HH: Average Persons in HH: Average Consumed (Food) : Average Consumed (Garbage):
3'-0"
Assumptions
Private-Public Corridor 10.02 % of Gross Rs. 83.89 / Mo. Rs. 10,420.59 / Mo. Rs. 27,351.07 1.68 % Of Rent 25.33X Of Rent 15.49X Of Rent
196,525.12 Lbs Equivalance 81,236 Lbs Equivalance
Value of public space versus private space
Models + Physical Explorations | 161
14'-10"
Public 630.52 ft² 15.94 % 1.00x of Public 1.33x of Private 1.59x of Private-Public 1.11x of Architecture
Model This model juxtaposes the public, semi-public, and private spaces in the Pradham Chawl by projecting them onto a cube. Although the interior space of the unit in a Chawl is theoretically private, in practice it is a transitional, semi-public space between two public areas. The model attempts to capture this phenomenon by presenting as a solid cube with a private interior. Upon closer investigation, one can look through the model, making its initially opaque interior become a permeable space that links the two public areas on either side. 162
Models + Physical Explorations | 163
St. Louis Arch | St. Louis, MO Building Technology III, Fall 2015 in collaboration with Yujing Cui, Michael Storm, Zoe Wang, Echo Yue, + Rae Zhuang
This is a model of Eero Saarinenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s St. Louis Arch. This model simulates the archâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s modular construction by using 30 rectangular segments loosely screwed to one another to form a flexible belt. Because of the operable pin connections, the funicular form finding process can be conducted as follows; the flexible belt is hung then the center of the belt is elevated and dropped so that it can reorganize into its funicular form, a weighted catenary. Once in a stable condition, the screw connections are tightened and the catenary inverted to created an arch.
164
Models + Physical Explorations | 165
166
Assembly
Models + Physical Explorations | 167 Funicular Form Finding
168
Visualizations
Arctic Bath Ultra Real, Spring 2016 in collaboration with Kimberlee Boonbanjerdsri, Elizabeth Cohn-Martin, + Chantal Wirekoh
170
Visualizations | 171
172
Visualizations | 173
174
Visualizations | 175
For additional work samples and further information, please visit britterarmour.com.
Britta Ritter-Armour Bir2105@columbia.edu | 310.427.4736
Thank you to my teammates: Kimberlee Boonbanjerdsri Mark Borreliz Miguel CastaĂąeda Elizabeth Cohn-Martin Yujing Cui Jennifer Fang Ilijana Soldan Michael Storm Zoe Wang Chantal Wirekoh Echo Yue Rae Zhuang critics: Tei Carpenter Lise Anne Couture Momoyo Kaijima Giuseppe Lignano Julian Rose Paula Tomisaki Ada Tolla Yoshiharu Tsukamoto and family: Tim Armour Nina Ritter Morgan Ritter-Armour Tristan Ritter-Armour